the man between(夹在中间的人)-第26节
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He might now show McLean that it was not want of money that had made
him hitherto shy of 〃the good investments〃 offered him。 He had been sure
McLean in their last interview had thought so； and had； indeed； felt the
half…veiled contempt with which the rich young man had expressed his
pity for Mostyn's inability to take advantage at the right moment of an
exceptional chance to play the game of beggaring his neighbor。 Now； he
told himself； he would show McLean and his braggart set that good birth
and old family was for once allied with plenty of money； and he also
promised his wounded sensibilities some very desirable reprisals； every
one of which he felt fully competent to take。
It was； after all； a poor compensation； but there was also the gold。 He
thanked his father that day for the great thoughtfulness and care with
which he had amassed this sum for him； and he tried to console himself
with the belief that gold answered all purposes； and that the yellow metal
was a better possession than the house and lands which he had longed for
with an inherited and insensate craving。
Two days after this event Ethel； at her father's direction； signed a
number of papers； and when that duty was completed； the Squire rose
from his chair； kissed her hands and her cheeks； and in a voice full of
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tenderness and pride said； 〃I pay my respects to the future lady of Rawdon
Manor； and I thank God for permitting me to see this hour。 Most welcome；
Lady Ethel； to the rights you inherit； and the rights you have bought。〃 It
was a moment hardly likely to be duplicated in any life； and Ethel escaped
from its tense emotions as soon as possible。 She could not speak； her heart
was too full of joy and wonder。 There are souls that say little and love
much。 How blessed are they！
On the following morning the invitations were sent for the dinner and
dance； but the time was put forward to the eighth of August。 In everyone's
heart there was a hope that before that day Mostyn would have left
Rawdon； but the hope was barely mentioned。 In the meantime he came
and went between Mostyn and Rawdon as he desired； and was received
with that modern politeness which considers it best to ignore offenses that
our grandfathers and grandmothers would have held for strict account and
punishment。
It was evident that he had frequent letters from Dora。 He knew all her
movements； and spoke several times of opening Mostyn Hall and inviting
the Stanhopes to stay with him until their return to America。 But as this
suggestion did not bring from any member of the Rawdon family the
invitation hoped for； it was not acted upon。 He told himself the expense
would be great； and the Hall； in spite of all he could do in the interim；
would look poor and shabby compared with Rawdon Court； so he put
aside the proposal on the ground that he could not persuade his aunt to do
the entertaining necessary。 And for all the irritation and humiliations
centering round his loss of Rawdon and his inabilities with regard to Dora
he blamed Ethel。 He was sure if he had been more lovable and
encouraging he could have married her； and thus finally reached Rawdon
Court； and then； with all the unreason imaginable； nursed a hearty dislike
to her because she would not understand his desires； and provide means
for their satisfaction。 The bright； joyous girl with her loving heart； her
abounding vitality； and constant cheerfulness； made him angry。 In none of
her excellencies he had any share； consequently he hated her。
He would have quickly returned to London； but Dora and her husband
were staying with the Stanhopes； and her letters from Stanhope Castle
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were lachrymose complaints of the utter weariness and dreariness of life
there the preaching and reading aloud； the regular walking and drivingall
the innocent method of lives which recognized they were here for some
higher purpose than mere physical enjoyment。 And it angered Mostyn that
neither Ruth nor Ethel felt any sympathy for Dora's ennui； and proposed
no means of releasing her from it。 He considered them both disgustingly
selfish and ill… natured； and was certain that all their reluctance at Dora's
presence arose from their jealousy of her beauty and her enchanting grace。
On the afternoon of the day preceding the intended entertainment Ruth；
Ethel； and the Squire were in the great dining…room superintending its
decoration。 They were merrily laughing and chatting； and were not aware
of the arrival of any visitors until Mrs。 Nicholas Rawdon's rosy； good…
natured face appeared at the open door。 Everyone welcomed her gladly；
and the Squire offered her a seat。
〃Nay； Squire；〃 she said； 〃I'm come to ask a favor； and I won't sit till I
know whether I get it or not； for if I don't get it； I shall say good…by as
quickly as I can。 Our John Thomas came home this morning and his friend
with him； and I want invitations for the young men； both of them。 My
great pleasure lies that wayif you'll give it to me。〃
〃Most gladly；〃 answered the Squire； and Ethel immediately went for
the necessary passports。 When she returned she found Mrs。 Nicholas
helping Ruth and the Squire to arrange the large silver and cut crystal on
the sideboard； and talking at the same time with unabated vivacity。
〃Yes；〃 she was saying； 〃the lads would have been here two days ago；
but they stayed in London to see some American lady married。 John
Thomas's friend knew her。 She was married at the Ambassador's house。 A
fine affair enough； but it bewilders me this taking up marriage without
priest or book。 It's a new commission。 The Church's warrant； it seems； is
out of date。 It may be right' it may be legal； but I told John Thomas if he
ever got himself married in that kind of a way； he wouldn't have father or
me for witnesses。〃
〃I am glad；〃 said the Squire； 〃that the young men are home in time for
our dance。 The young like such things。〃
〃To be sure they do。 John Thomas wouldn't give me a moment's rest
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till I came here。 I didn't want to come。 I thought John Thomas should
come himself； and I told him plainly that I was ready to do anyone a favor
if I could； but if he wanted me to come because he was afraid to come
himself； I was just as ready to shirk the journey。 And he laughed and said
he was not feared for any woman living； but he did want to make his first
appearance in his best clothesand that was natural； wasn't it？ So I came
for the two lads。〃 Then she looked at the girls with a smile； and said in a
comfortable kind of way： 〃You'll find them very nice lads； indeed。 I can
speak for John Thomas； I have taken his measure long since； and as far as
I can judge his friend； Nature went about some full work when she made a
man of him。 He's got a sweet temper； and a strong mind； and a straight
judgment； if I know anything about menwhich Nicholas sometimes
makes me think I don't。 But Nicholas isn't an ordinary man； he's what you
call ‘an exception。'〃 Then shaking her head at Ethel； she continued
reprovingly： 〃You were neither of you in church Sunday。 I know some
young women who went to the parish churchMethodists they are
specially to see your new hats。 There's some talk about them； I can tell you；
and the village milliner is pestered to copy them。 She keeps her eyes open
for you。 You disappointed a lot of people。 You ought to go to church in the
country。 It's the most respectable thing you can do。〃
〃We were both very tired；〃 said Ruth； 〃and the sun was hot； and we
had a good Sabbath at home。 Ethel read the Psalms； Epistle and Gospel for
the day； and the Squire gave us some of the grandest organ music I ever
heard。〃
